What is Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration?

Install Remote Desktop Session Host role service in Windows Server without Connection Broker role service

• Article
• 09/24/2021
• 4 minutes to read
• 3 contributors

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In this article

This article provides guidelines to install and configure the Remote Desktop Session Host role service on a computer that is running Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, or Windows Server 2012 R2 without the Remote Desktop Connection Broker role service installed.

Applies to: Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2
Original KB number: 2833839

How to activate the Windows Remote Desktop Service (RDS) Role

When is the RDS role needed?

The default server setting is RDP Admin mode, which allows single sessions with the appropriate privileges. If there is only one user, then additional RDS (Remote Desktop Service) licenses are not required.

If multiple users need to connect to the server simultaneously, each user needs a Remote Desktop Server Client Access License (RDS CAL) added to the license manager, with the session host configured to use that license manager.

Note: If this is not done, the RDS will go into Evaluation Mode, which will expire after 120 days, effectively locking users out.An error message ‘Remote Desktop licensing mode is not configured‘ will be displayed.

Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration Documentation Tool

Software to automatically document your RDSHconfiguration

Automatically document your Remote Desktop Session Host configuration with our network documentation tool XIAConfiguration.

• Scan Active Directory to detect and inventory RD Session Hosts then automatically generate documentation
• Locate which accounts are permitted to connect to a Remote Desktop Host and where RemoteApp applications are being hosted.
• Ensure that all terminal servers within a farm are configured identically with the reporting feature.
• Use the change tracking feature to monitor your RD Session Host installations.

With support for general settings, connections (terminals), connection (session) broker and RemoteApp applications.

XIA Configuration has a non-intrusive architecture with agentless data collection and PowerShell support.